New Year's Resolutions

Well, as we all know, most people set resolutions for themselves on December 31 only to be broken when Ben & Jerry's releases a new flavor. Well, my schedule's a bit off due to school, and for me, December 31 falls right in the middle of my school year. Rather than try to "start over" then, it's easier for me to set goals now, before I head back to school ... which is tomorrow.

One major thing I plan on adding to my schedule is a weekly dance class. I'm not overweight, but I'm tired of being unmotivated and out of shape. There's a dance studio basically on campus, so I plan on taking 1-2 dance classes there per week. I'm really excited about it because exercise is something that's important to me, but I haven't found my niche yet. I've always loved dance; I've tried running, swimming, and biking but none are fun or rewarding to me the way that dancing is.

Another goal of mine is to start a food journal. Again, I'm not looking to lose weight, but I want to be more conscious of what I'm putting into my body. Hopefully by doing this, I'll be less likely to put unhealthy foods into my body.

The aforementioned goals pertain to physical health, but my spiritual health is also in need of a revamping boost. All my life I've been a night person, so logic would determine that a "quiet time" would be best at night. However, I've realized that I have a tendency to put it off until the absolute latest opportunity, when the eyelids are already on the descent. So, my last and most important goal is to have a more consistent quiet time somewhere between 4:00 and 9:00. I'm going to wait until I get into the swing of things to determine a time, but determining a time is what's got to happen. By setting a time (ie 7:00), I pray that I'll be more likely to sit down with a focused heart and mind.

I ask that you pray for me in fulfilling these goals. Have you set any goals for yourself? Don't want until New Year's Eve...start now! Waiting only prolongs the delay in achieving your goals. Thanks for reading!

Looking Back...

Well, summer for me is almost up. A week from Wednesday (the 12th) I move back into my dorm up at Carson-Newman. A friend and I were talking today, and whenever we talk, it's like God's love is just bubbling over. I love this girl. She always asks me direct, meaningful questions, which take me aback yet for which I am so grateful. One question she always seems to ask is, "What has God taught you?" - in this case, over the summer. 

Hmm. 

One thing that I can say is that looking back to last summer, I do feel completely different. I've engaged in challenging conversations, met new friends, been a part of 2 churches with newly laid foundation (both of which are amazing - check out The Ridge Community Church and Arrowhead Church), read interesting books and really tried to delve deeper into the Word, taken tough and inspiring classes, and through all of this, grown closer to my Jesus. Through these things, God has shown me ... stuff. This past year, I've learned that one of the most important (if not the most important) means of sharing Christ's love is by being His hands. That doesn't mean whipping out our favorite verses in the first few minutes of a fresh conversation with a new friend. It does mean sacrifice of time, spirit, energy, and money. By sacrificing these to God through donation to others, people begin to see - through the Spirit's power in us - that maybe there is something (someONE) worth living for. Not to say that God needs me, but the fact that He chooses to use me leaves me no other option but to recklessly serve. I haven't always done that, but God deserves nothing less, so I'll keep striving. 

Second, I've learned that every day, every second, I must attempt to wrap my mind around the fact that God is enough for me. It's easy to fill my spiritual life with the overflow from my financial "happiness" and scholastic success. STUFF doesn't matter. Just in the past couple of weeks, I've really been thinking about the things my culture idolizes: fashion (cloth to cover your naked self), trendy TV (people pretending to be someone else for the sake of our own), high-end cars (machines that transport us from A to B), etc. That may sound random, but it's like it's all just hit me - all of that is so perishable and so fleeting. And I've been so caught up in it. Don't hear what I'm not saying - we don't need to be removed from culture. But this obsession is just suffocating. So, back to my point, obsession with all this stuff creates a taller and bigger wall between ourselves and God. I've felt this happening before. It's like every day is a struggle to be "Christian." However, removing ourselves from this obsession while remaining culturally relevant to people around us brings us closer to God's heart.

The question that's been on my heart all summer is one that I first read in Crazy Love by Francis Chan. It's a John Piper quote thats left me feeling really torn. I've thought about this, and it is a tough, tough question. I encourage you to ponder this question and see where you fall. Then, no matter where that is, let's all pray that God draws us closer and that in response, we live with total abandon to Jesus' call and commission.

"The critical question for our generation- and every generation- in this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters- could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?" - John Piper

Urgent Prayer Request

This was in our Carson-Newman email announcements today. Please pray.

For anyone who is willing to pray...

We just received word from Brazil that gunmen broke into our City of Youth facility  looking for Pastor Derli to kidnap and/or kill him. After 45 minutes, they were unable to locate him and left. We have recently had increased numbers of carjackings on the heavily-rutted road to the campus and have had many conversations with the police. It now seems either the police are working with the gunmen or there is corruption in the department (neither of which would be a surprise in Brazil) because the gunmen have been told that Hope Unlimited for Children is behind trying to get their activity stopped. Obviously, this is the kind of thing that can shut us down overnight. Please pray for safety for the hundreds of children and staff at our two campuses in Campinas-- and for wisdom for David and Philip as they address this situation. 

You might find it helpful to know that this coming Sunday there is scheduled a charity basketball game on our behalf between NBA players and the Brazilian National Team. This will take place in Rio, and NBA players are already arriving; related events begin tomorrow. ESPN-Brazil is covering the game, and ESPN-USA is filming several segments to be aired here this Fall.  Name recognition for Hope Unlimited is growing quickly with this and other things we have on the horizon. Satan does not want that to happen. Know that when you pray you are helping us fight a battle in the spiritual realm.

Ephesians 6:10-16
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Thank you in advance for your prayers on behalf of our children, staff, and their family members.

Susan & David Nowell